Easy, Crispy, and Perfect Air Fryer Bacon is a quick recipe that will show you how long to cook bacon in a Nuwave, Power Air Fryer, Gourmia, or any air fryer brand. Cooking bacon for breakfast is simple and it's finished in 10 minutes and with no smoke! Pair it with a nice side of eggs.

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This post was originally published in February 2019. It has since been updated.
FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE'S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
Can I Make Bacon in the Air Fryer? Is it Safe to Cook Bacon?
Yes, you can absolutely make bacon in the air fryer! And let me tell you, this is no exaggeration, it's the best bacon I have ever had! A lot of people boast about their oven baked bacon. It has nothing on the air fryer method! AND the air fryer cuts the cook time in half.
When you fry bacon in a skillet, sometimes it's hard to gauge the perfect timing. A lot of times, the ends may turn out burnt. Not in the air fryer!
Be sure to use parchment paper. I get mine on Amazon. That makes it safe to cook bacon in the air fryer. It soaks up the excess grease and will help keep the air fryer from smoking.
How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer
- Place parchment paper on the air fryer basket.
- Add the bacon.
- Air fry!
Some air fryer brands will need a trivet to hold down the bacon. I didn't find I needed one with the Power Air Fryer. If the bacon flies around inside, it's usually because you have an older or loud air fryer. Quiet air fryers work well.
How Long to Cook
I like to cook mine for 10 minutes. Add additional time as necessary if you would like it crisper.
How To Keep the Air Fryer from Smoking
Be sure to use parchment paper. I get mine on Amazon. That makes it safe to cook bacon in the air fryer. It soaks up the excess grease and will help keep the air fryer from smoking. You can also check out this post How To Keep My Air Fryer From Smoking.
Can I use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer?
Yes, in general, you can. I wouldn't recommend using it for bacon because of the grease and potential to smoke.
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Easy, Crispy, and Perfect Air Fryer Bacon
Ingredients
- 6 slices Bacon I used uncured
Instructions
- Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Parchment paper will soak up the grease and prevent the air fryer from smoking. Place the bacon on top of the paper. It's ok for the bacon to touch. I do not recommend stacking the bacon.
- Cook the bacon for 10 minutes on 380 degrees. I did not flip the bacon. Cook for additional time as necessary in order to reach your desired level of crunch.
Ellen Nantker says
I really haven't used my air fryer very much because I still don't know if I'm suppose to preheat the fryer or not? I did call the company but the answer that I got made no sense, I don't think the woman that I spoke to know anything about the air fryer believe it or not. Anyway that is my question and if I should preheat what temp and for how long?
Thank you so much
Ellen ellene7oaks@gmail.com
staysnatched says
Which brand do you have? I use the Power Air Fryer and I do not preheat.
c shelby says
I do preheat mine for 2-3 minutes, but I don't think it's necessary.
Jeremy Bell AKA Dinga says
@Ellen Nantker,
Anonymous says
@Ellen Nantker,
wilhelmina says
This bacon is so perfectly crisp! What an easy way to get perfect bacon!
Linda says
I've been meaning to try cooking bacon in my air fryer because I absolutely love it for everything else. Great suggestion to use the parchment paper as I have read others posts on air frying bacon and they all talk about the smoke. Now I'm all set to try it for breakfast tomorrow.
Saundra Booth says
In your pictures of bacon-frying, it looks as if there are several poked holes in the parchment paper. Am I seeing correctly? Do we punch some holes befpre putting the bacon on top? We have a Power-Air-Fryer Oven. Thanks. Saundra
staysnatched says
No, this is how the parchment paper comes. I have linked to the parchment paper I use from Amazon.
allen says
after several very house filled smokey tries, added some water to the bottom pan from a suggestion I found on another site. No smoke! It produces nice bacon, but my wife prefers the oven method. Found cooking at 350 for about 8 minutes to get it done enough for my wife to eat it. (she eats nothing that is not well done) Power Airfryer XL 1700 watt.
staysnatched says
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Tara says
I don’t see anywhere the temp to cook the bacon???
staysnatched says
It’s in Step 4.
Anonymous says
IT is in step3- 380 degrees F. for 10 minutes.
DONNA PERKINS says
HI, I REALLY AM HAPPY TO FIND YOUR SITE! I GOT A HABOR 4.2 QUART AIR FRYER AS A GIFT AND I REALIZED I MAY NEED PARCHMENT PAPER ETC BUT ANM NOT SURE THE BEST FOR MY FRYER! ANY IDEAS MY FRIEND! ALSO, ONES ON AMAZ THTAT WILL BE CAN YOU JUST USE STORE BOUGHT ROLLS OF PARCHMENT PAPER AND POKE HOLE AND TRIM THEM? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND LOVE YOUR SITE!
DONNA PERKINS says
SORRY MESSAGE WAS A MESSED UP JUST WONDERING IF I NEED ALL THOSE GADGETS SHOWN ON AMAZON AND IF I DO WHICH WOULD YOU SUGGEST I BUY FOR THE HABOR 4.2 QUART! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! LOVE THE HELP WITH THESE RECIPES!
staysnatched says
I haven’t used an air fryer of that size. When making purchases reviewing the sizing to ensure it will fit.
Christina says
Using a trivet is brilliant!!! I always hate that my bacon starts to curl and doesn’t cook evenly. Thank you!!
staysnatched says
It's a great method!
Maddy says
Best bacon I have had! I love the no mess of doing them in the air fryer. Using the trivet was so helpful. You’re recipes are making me fall in love with my air fryer!!
staysnatched says
So glad it worked well for you!
Cara says
This was amazing!!! LOVED it and my husband said it was out of this world. I have the Paula Deen XL air fryer so cut a piece of square parchment paper and poked 6 holes in it. Did 385 degrees for 8 minutes - I used center cut bacon (thinner) which was all I had. If I were to use thick cut I’d go the full 10 minutes. I did not need to use the trivet either. Thanks Brandi for keeping my entire house from smelling like bacon grease! ?❤️
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Cara says
I left a comment earlier but forgot to do the star rating - this was AMAZING!!! Loved it and my husband said it was out of this world. I have the Paula Deen XL air fryer and did 385 degrees (it has a dial so couldn’t set it exactly to 380) for 8 minutes using center cut bacon. If I had thick cut I would have gone the full 10 minutes. Cut a square of parchment and punched 6 holes and did not need the trivet. SO GOOD!! ❤️❤️
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Maryam says
Best bacon recipe ever!! Better than any restaurant bacon I’ve had!
staysnatched says
YUM! So glad you enjoyed it!
Andreé says
Only way I cook bacon now!
staysnatched says
It's totally the best way to do it.
Tiffani says
Finally tried this, it’s perfect. I did put water in the bottom of mine, and used a trivet, just in case. I checked at 8 minutes, flipped them over, but 10 minutes ended up being perfect. They shrunk a lot bit I’m okay with that.
staysnatched says
I'm glad it worked.
pat boyce says
i have vortex plus air fryer does any one else? really having a hard time trying to figure out what to cook and how as almost every fryer recipe is for the original air fryer
staysnatched says
I don't have one. How does it work differently?
Niamh says
Perfect every time!! Thank you Brandi!
staysnatched says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Barbara Caroline Teresi says
staysnatched, what about the shelf air fryers? Mine does't have a basket.
staysnatched says
I've never used one.
Trista says
Easiest way to cook bacon EVER! The bacon comes out perfectly with so little clean up and effort. No more getting popped by grease!
staysnatched says
Yes! That's definitely the best part!
Kristin says
My kids love bacon and with this recipe they can now make it themselves! Quick and easy addition to our breakfast during the school week!
staysnatched says
I'm so glad they loved it!
Rachel says
At first I was thinking WHAT?!? How have I never tried this?
It was great. Thank you! This makes a BLT totally possible for a quick lunch.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Suzy B says
Easiest way to cook perfect and crisp Bacon! Stay snatched will never steer you wrong.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad to hear it.
Dara says
This is the best and easiest way to make bacon. The recipe is easy to follow and I use to make bacon for other recipes or just to eat for breakfast. The bacon is perfectly crispy and takes no prep time.
staysnatched says
I completely agree!
Anonymous says
Much less messy using the air fryer. Will try cutting the slices in half before cooking next time as it didn’t cook evenly.
staysnatched says
Less mess, less fuss!
Jill Kosmensky says
We recently purchased a new full-size oven complete with both confection and air-fryer functions. Do you know if I need to adjust cooking times for my air fryer when I use a recipe for a counter-top air fryer? Thanks!
staysnatched says
Probably, every air fryer cooks differently. I always recommend you keep a close watch.
Lauren says
This was my first thing I made in my air fryer. Priorities! Perfectly cooked thick cut bacon. Thanks for the key parchment paper tip!
staysnatched says
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Kori says
Follow this recipe to exactly and you wont be disappointed. This is so amazing. I was just gifted an XL air fryer and have enjoyed it. Now I absolutely love it, due to this bacon recipe! As a household of 2 now, it is great to not have to cook the whole package of bacon and then reheat as I need it. Fresh bacon it back on the menu thanks is to you. Keep these great recipes coming. @staysnatched!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Anne D says
Tried this for the first time today. So easy and the time and temp results in perfectly cooked bacon - at least for my preference. This will be my go to method from now on!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it's a go-to!
Heather says
Perfect crispy bacon in 10 minutes with my Cosori. Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! So glad to hear it.